Lymph node yield during radical prostatectomy does not impact rate of biochemical recurrence in patients with seminal vesicle invasion and node-negative disease.

OBJECTIVES: Seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) is a risk factor for poor oncologic outcome in patients with prostate cancer. Modifications to the pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical prostatectomy (RP) have been reported to have a therapeutic benefit. The present study is the first to determine if lymph node yield (LNY) is associated with a lower risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) for men with SVI. METHODS: A total of 220 patients from 2 high-volume institutions who underwent RP without adjuvant treatment between 1990 and 2015 and had prostate cancer with SVI (i.e., pT3b) were identified, and 21 patients did not undergo lymph node dissection. BCR was defined as a postoperative PSA>0.2ng/mL, or use of salvage androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or radiation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine whether LNY was predictive of BCR, controlling for PSA, pathologic Gleason Score, pathologic lymph node status, NCCN risk category, etc. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine 3-year freedom from BCR. RESULTS: Median number of lymph nodes sampled were 7 (IQR: 3-12; range: 0-35) and 90.5% underwent PLND. The estimated 3-year BCR rate was 43.9%. Results from multivariable analysis demonstrated that LNY was not significantly associated with risk of BCR overall (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.03; P = 0.848) for pN0 (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.03; P = 0.916) or pN1 patients (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.88-1.06; P = 0.468). Overall, PSA (HR = 1.02, P<0.001) and biopsy Gleason sum ≥ 8 (HR = 1.81, P = 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of BCR, and increasing LNY increased the likelihood of detecting>2 positive lymph nodes (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06-1.65, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Seminal vesicle invasion is associated with an increased risk of BCR at 3 years, primarily due to pathologic Gleason score and PSA. Although greater lymph node yield is diagnostic and facilitates more accurate pathologic staging, our data do not show a therapeutic benefit in reducing BCR.

Analysis of Accessory Pudendal Artery Transection on Erections During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the recovery of erections and potency following the transection of accessory pudendal arteries (APAs) in men undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) compared with men with normal vascular anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 880 consecutive patients who underwent RARP from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2014 were included with prospectively collected data in cross-sectional analysis. Erectile function (EF) was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5, a percent erection fullness compared to preoperative status, and two Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) questions: (1) are erections firm enough for penetration and (2) are they satisfactory? RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one (33.1%) men had APAs transected. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics or clinical characteristics in men with or without APAs transected. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that age (confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.94, 0.99) and baseline IIEF-5 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.26) strongly correlated with recovery of erections and potency. Transection of APAs was not a significant predictor of erectile dysfunction (ED). CONCLUSION: Good surgical technique dictates the preservation of APAs. However, when preservation is questioned, we found that APA transection had no measurable effect on recovery of erections or potency regardless of age, preoperative ED, or number of APAs transected.

Long-term outcomes in severe lower urinary tract symptoms in men undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To address a major concern driving treatment intervention, we studied incontinence and urinary quality of life (QOL) before and after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). In men with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), this is the first observational study analyzing short- and long-term urinary outcomes of RARP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RARP was performed on 665 patients by 1 surgeon from 2002 to 2007. Men returned preoperative and postoperative self-reported American Urological Association symptom score (AUAss), urinary QOL, and continence (pad usage) questionnaires. Men with preoperative severe LUTS (AUAss ≥ 20; n = 53; 8%) were observed longitudinally for a mean of 4.0 years (range, 1.6-9.4 years) and were compared with men with mild-to-moderate LUTS (AUAss ≤ 19; n = 612; 92%). RESULTS: In men with severe LUTS, baseline average AUAss and QOL scores were 24.8 and 4.0, respectively. Long-term AUAss improved by 70% (17 points; P < .001); specifically 59% of patients had AUAss drop to <8, 35% of patients to 8-19, and 6% of patients remained at ≥ 20. The mean QOL scores declined from 4.0 to 2.0 (P < .05). Preoperatively, 38 of 52 patients (73%) had a poor QOL score of 4-6 compared with only 18% (P < .001) at long-term follow-up after RARP. Overall pad-free status was 71% vs 89%. CONCLUSION: In men with severe LUTS, RARP significantly improved urinary symptoms and QOL scores with an overall pad-free status of 71%. Specifically, these men should be counseled that RARP confers a significant short- and long-term benefit with regard to relief of their obstructive and irritative symptoms.

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy after the first decade: surgical evolution or new paradigm.

Early studies indicate that robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has promising short-term outcomes; however, RARP is beyond its infancy, and the long-term report cards are now beginning. The important paradigm shift introduced by RARP is the reevaluation of the entire open radical prostatectomy experience in surgical technique by minimizing blood loss and complications, maximizing cancer free outcomes, and a renewed assault in preserving quality of life outcomes by many novel mechanisms. RARP provides a new technical "canvas" for surgical masters to create upon, and in ten years, has reinvigorated a 100-year-old "gold standard" surgery.

Preserving continence during robotic prostatectomy.

Preservation of postoperative urinary continence remains the primary concern of all men and their surgeons following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Without doubt, continence is the most important quality of life issue following radical prostatectomy. Identification of difficulties and lessons learned over time has helped focus efforts in order to improve urinary quality of life and continence. This review will examine definitions of continence and urinary quality of life evaluation, technical aspects and the impact of patient-related factors affecting time to and overall continence.

Sacrifice of accessory pudendal arteries in normally potent men during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy does not impact potency.

AIM: Whether or not sacrificing accessory pudendal arteries (APAs) during radical prostatectomy affects potency has been an ongoing source of concern. Herein, we present our potency results relative to sacrificing APAs in normally pre-potent men following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: The distribution of APAs and clinical characteristics were prospectively recorded in 200 consecutive patients undergoing RARP with a cautery-free technique. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function 5-item questionnaire (IIEF-5). All APAs were sacrificed due to stapling the dorsal vein complex. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperatively, potency was defined by an affirmative answer to the following two questions: "Were erections adequate for penetration?" and "were the erections satisfactory?" Postoperative IIEF-5 scores and quality of erections (% of preoperative firmness: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) were also obtained. Subgroup analysis of patients age < or =65 years with IIEF-5 score of 22-25 was performed. RESULTS: Eighty patients (40%) had APAs. Preoperatively, there was no association with having an APA and normal/abnormal sexual function. Preoperatively, 58/200 were < or =65 years with self-administered IIEF-5 scores of 22-25. Postoperatively, 53/58 (91%) were potent at 24 months follow-up. Nineteen of 58 patients had a sacrificed APA; 39 patients had no APA. Eighteen of 19 (95%) patients with sacrificed APAs were potent vs. 35/39 (90%) with no APA present (P = 0.53). Multivariate analysis showed no significant correlation between sacrificing an APA and time of potency recovery, quality of postoperative erections (94% vs. 90% P = 0.80) or mean IIEF-5 score (22.4 vs. 20.8, P = 0.13). CONCLUSION: We found no correlation between the presence or absence of APAs and preoperative sexual function. Furthermore, after sacrificing all APAs, we found no correlation with potency return, time to return of potency, quality of erections, or mean IIEF-5 scores at 24 months.

Preliminary study of virtual reality and model simulation for learning laparoscopic suturing skills.

PURPOSE: Repetitive practice of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying can facilitate surgeon proficiency in performing this reconstructive technique. We compared a silicone model and pelvic trainer to a virtual reality simulator in the learning of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying by laparoscopically naïve medical students, and evaluated the subsequent performance of porcine laparoscopic cystorrhaphy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 medical students underwent a 1-hour didactic session with video demonstration of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying by an expert laparoscopic surgeon. The students were randomized to a pelvic trainer (10) or virtual reality simulator (10) for a minimum of 2 hours of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying training. Within 1 week of the training session the medical students performed laparoscopic closure of a 2 cm cystotomy in a porcine model. Objective structured assessment of technical skills for laparoscopic cystorrhaphy was performed at the procedure by laparoscopic surgeons blinded to the medical student training format. A video of the procedure was evaluated with an objective structured assessment of technical skills by an expert laparoscopic surgeon blinded to medical student identity and training format. The medical students completed an evaluation questionnaire regarding the training format after the laparoscopic cystorrhaphy. RESULTS: All students were able to complete the laparoscopic cystorrhaphy. There was no difference between the pelvic trainer and virtual reality groups in mean +/- SD time to perform the porcine cystorrhaphy at 40 +/- 15 vs 41 +/- 10 minutes (p = 0.87) or the objective structured assessment of technical skills score of 8.8 +/- 2.3 vs 8.2 +/- 2.2 (p = 0.24), respectively. Bladder leak occurred in 3 (30%) of the pelvic trainer trained and 6 (60%) of the virtual reality trained medical student laparoscopic cystorrhaphy procedures (Fisher exact test p = 0.37). The only significant difference between the 2 groups was that 4 virtual reality trained medical students considered the training session too short compared to none of those trained on the pelvic trainer (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference between the pelvic trainer and virtual reality trained medical students in proficiency to perform laparoscopic cystorrhaphy in a pig model, although both groups require considerably more training before performing this procedure clinically. The pelvic trainer training may be more user-friendly for the novice surgeon to begin learning these challenging laparoscopic skills.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: current evaluation of surgical margins in clinically low-, intermediate-, and high-risk prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Concern exists over a lack of tactile sensation and positive surgical margins (PSMs) in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. We report our PSM rates in our most current 500 cases and particularly in clinically high-risk disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After implementation of our present technique at case #251, we report PSM rates according to pathologic stage and D'Amico's risk stratification: low risk (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] <10, Gleason score [GS] 5-6, cT1-T2A), intermediate risk (PSA 10-20, GS 7, cT2B), and high risk (PSA >20, GS 8-10, cT3). Patients with cT2b/T3 disease or GS 8 to 10 and multiple cores with >30% involvement underwent wide excision of the neurovascular bundle. PSM was defined as ink on tumor. RESULTS: The overall PSM rate was 7.4%: pT2 = 3.1%, pT3 = 15.9%, and pT4 = 55.6%. PSMs occurred in 13 (4.9%) low, 10 (5.8%) intermediate, and 14 (22.6%) high D'Amico risk patients. Of the 62 high-risk patients, the median PSA was 6.9 (range 2.2-97.9); biopsy GS was 6 to 7 (26%) and 8 to 10 (74%). For preoperatively palpable disease, the PSM rate was 9.9%: cT1 = 6.0%, cT2 = 7.7%, and cT3 = 26.3%. No PSMs occurred along the neurovascular bundle. CONCLUSION: Since 2005, 500 men with clinically low-, intermediate-, and high-risk prostate cancer have undergone robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with acceptable surgical margin rates. In patients with high-risk and usually palpable disease, PSM rates were also acceptable despite the lack of tactile sensation with the robot.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the recovery of potency after radical prostatectomy: effect of unilateral vs bilateral nerve sparing.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the impact of a approximately 50% reduction of cavernous nervous tissue on the qualitative and quantitative recovery of sexual function after unilateral (UNS) and bilateral (BNS) nerve-sparing robotic radical prostatectomy (RALP), by evaluating these differences in two groups treated with cautery and a cautery-free technique (CFT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: UNS was defined as wide-excision of one neurovascular bundle (NVB). Only men aged < or =65 years with preoperative International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores of > or =22 were included. The cautery group comprised 42 men (of case numbers 1-125) undergoing RALP with cautery, and the CFT group (62 men of cases 151-350) had a cautery-free technique along the NVB. Data were collected prospectively using validated self-administered questionnaires. Potency was defined as two affirmative answers to: do you have erections 'adequate for vaginal penetration?' and 'Are they satisfactory?'. Patient-reported IIEF-5 scores and quality of erections (i.e. an estimate of erection as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of preoperative fullness) were obtained after surgery. RESULTS: In the cautery group, doubling the nerve volume increased potency by 1.36 times (UNS 50% vs BNS 68%). The results were similar in the CFT group as doubling nerve tissue increased potency by 1.15 times (UNS 80% and BNS 93%). At 24 months, comparing IIEF-5 scores, there was no difference between UNS and BNS for the cautery group, at 19.6 (95% confidence interval 15.7-23.5) vs 18.9 (16.6-21.0), or the CFT group, at 22.0 (20.2-23.8) vs 21.0 (19.8-22.1). CONCLUSIONS: Doubling the nerve volume only increased potency by 1.15-1.36 times for both the CFT and cautery groups. Furthermore, the quality of erections and IIEF-5 scores did not vary appreciably with doubling of nerve tissue.

Annexin A2 positively contributes to the malignant phenotype and secretion of IL-6 in DU145 prostate cancer cells.

Several groups, including ours, have reported that annexin A2 (ANXA2) expression is reduced in most prostate cancer (CaP). More recently, however, we reported that ANXA2 is expressed in some high-grade tumors, but the biologic consequence of this is currently unknown. To elucidate the function of ANXA2 in CaP, we reduced its expression in DU145 cells using shRNA and tested the impact on characteristics of malignancy. Reduction of ANXA2 suppressed anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth without affecting invasiveness. Interestingly, interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion was reduced concomitantly with the reduction of ANXA2 but independently of S100A10. IL-6 expression was restored when wild type but not mutant ANXA2 was reexpressed in these cells. In a retrospective study of radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with nonmetastatic CaP, 100% of patients with ANXA2-positive tumors (n = 4) had a biochemical relapse while only 50% of patients with ANXA2 negative tumors (n = 20) relapsed, suggesting that ANXA2 expression in prostate tumors may be predictive of biochemical relapse. Significant cytoplasmic staining of ANXA2 was detected in 3 of 4 ANXA2-positive tumors, whereas ANXA2 is localized to the plasma membrane in benign prostatic glands. These finding, taken together, suggests a possible mechanism whereby ANXA2 expression positively contributes to an aggressive phenotype in a subset of CaP and suggest that ANXA2 has markedly different functions depending on its cellular context. Finally, this is the first description of a role for ANXA2 in IL-6 expression, and ANXA2 represents a new therapeutic target for reducing IL-6 in high-grade prostate cancer.

Zero positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy: is the end in sight.

Positive surgical margins represents incomplete resection by the surgeon, and the elimination of positive margins represents the only clinical feature during radical prostatectomy that can lead directly to improved cancer outcomes. The introduction of new robot-assisted technology and technical refinements has led to declines of positive surgical margins. Although margins induced by incomplete cancer resection by the surgeon have been reduced for organ-confined disease, the 'Holy Grail' of zero margins is not yet attainable in prostatectomy, and is more problematic in cancer that has penetrated beyond the prostate. Intraoperative frozen biopsies are imprecise. The union of real-time optical coherence tomography technology of the da Vinci robotic platform for identification of positive margin sites, and technical advances with wider excisions during surgery may provide promise for further reduction of surgical margins to zero.

Prostate weight and early potency in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Using an athermal technique for nerve preservation we noted that approximately 40% are potent compared with approximately 60% who are not at 3 months after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RLP). In an attempt to understand this difference, we examine factors potentially influencing potency at 3 months. METHODS: Of 300 consecutive RLPs, we identified 139 men who met preoperative inclusion criteria: age

Overcoming obstacles: nerve-sparing issues in radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To review, compare, and contrast recovery of potency after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with specific regard to thermal and excisional nerve injury. Our goal was to compare intensity of injury and ability to recover potency in order to stratify risk by injury type. METHODS: We compare potency outcomes in our first 500 consecutive cases of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. This is a retrospective review of data collected prospectively into an electronic database. Preoperative inclusion criteria were age less than 66 years, International Index of Erectile Function Score of 22-25, and unilateral or bilateral nerve preservation. Potency data were collected via patient-reported validated questionnaires. Potency was defined with two affirmative responses to: "erections hard enough for sexual intercourse" and were they "satisfactory." Results were collated and graphically analyzed so that time-line comparisons of recovery could be evaluated. RESULTS: Time-line curves were generated comparing recovery of sexual function over 2 years after nervesparing techniques using cautery versus cautery-free and unilateral versus bilateral nerve preservation. Use of no cautery improved early return of sexual function 4.7-fold over cautery. Whether using cautery or cautery-free techniques, a doubling of nerve tissue from one nerve to two nerves spared only resulted in a 1.2-fold improvement of potency recovery both early and long-term. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, avoidance of thermal injury produces nearly a 5-fold improvement in early return of sexual function. Furthermore, thermal injury appears to induce a dense but largely recoverable injury after 2 years. In contrast to common belief, our results demonstrated that preservation of just one nerve will, in the majority of patients, result in similar potency recovery to that with two nerves preserved. Crossover innervation of the one nerve is favored over compensation and hints that techniques that increase nerve volume at the expense of positive surgical margins may need careful introspection.

Fossa navicularis strictures due to 22F catheters used in robotic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fossa navicularis strictures following radical prostatectomy are reported infrequently. We recently experienced a series of fossa strictures following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Fossa strictures are usually procedure-induced, arising from urethral trauma or infection; catheter size has not been reported as a factor. We describe herein our experience to determine and prevent fossa navicularis stricture development. METHODS: From June 2002 until February 2005, 248 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with the da Vinci surgical system at our institution. Fossa strictures were diagnosed based on acute onset of obstructive voiding symptoms, IPSS and flow pattern changes, and bougie calibration. During our series, we switched from an 18F to a 22F catheter to avoid inadvertent stapling of the urethra when dividing the dorsal venous complex. All patients had an 18F catheter placed after the anastomosis for 1 week. Parameters were evaluated using Fisher's exact test and the Student t test for means. RESULTS: The 18F catheter group (n=117) developed 1 fossa stricture, whereas the 22F catheter group (n=131) developed 9 fossa strictures (P=0.02). The fossa stricture rate in the 18F group was 0.9% versus 6.9% in the 22F group. The 2 groups had no differences in age, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, International Prostate Symptom Score, urinary bother score, SHIM score, preoperative PSA, operative time, estimated blood loss, cautery use, prostate size, or catheterization time. CONCLUSIONS: Using a larger urethral catheter size during intraoperative dissection appears to increase the risk 8-fold for fossa stricture as compared with the 18F catheter. The pneumoperitoneum and prolonged extreme Trendelenberg position could potentially contribute to local urethral ischemia.

Spread of thermal energy and heat sinks: implications for nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During nerve-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, nerve injury caused by thermal energy is a concern. Using a porcine model, we studied thermal spread and queried whether vessels such as the prostatic pedicle may act as a heat sink, reducing the spread of thermal energy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monopolar (MP) and bipolar (BP) cautery was applied laparoscopically on the anterior abdominal wall surface of six pigs with the da Vinci robot. Using fiberoptic thermometry (Luxtron Inc. Santa Clara, CA), temperatures were recorded with and without the interposed inferior epigastric vessels to evaluate the heat sink effect. RESULTS: Interposition of the inferior epigastric vessels definitively demonstrated a heat sink phenomenon: at 7 mm from the MP/BP energy source, temperatures rose 10.7 degrees C to 13.8 degrees C without interposed vessels versus only 1.9 degrees C to 2.5 degrees C when vessels were interposed (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The heat sink phenomenon suggests that the prostatic vascular pedicle should be protective of the neurovascular bundle during transection of the bladder neck during laparoscopic prostatectomy.

[Radical robot prostatectomy: oncological outcomes]. / Prostatectomía radical roboótica: resultados oncológicos.

OBJECTIVES: To review the current literature on oncologic outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A systematic MEDLINE search was performed to retrieve articles relating to oncologic outcomes with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed their methodological quality and extracted data. RESULTS: Positive surgical margin rates in RALP are commensurate to contemporary open and standard laparoscopic series. Surgical experience and refinement of technique helped decrease positive margins. Long-term biochemical disease-free survival (PSA <0.1 ng/ml) following RALP is currently unknown, with only 2 series reporting data with > 12 month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: RALP is a safe and reproducible treatment modality for organ-confined prostate cancer and provides excellent short-term oncological control. Larger studies with long-term oncologic follow-up are needed to establish the efficacy compared to more traditional surgical approaches.

Impact of urethral stump length on continence and positive surgical margins in robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: We previously reported the benefit of meticulous apical dissection in reducing positive surgical margins (SM+) at the apex. Herein we assess whether a more aggressive urethral transection will reduce positive margins and whether reduced urethral length affects return to continence. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: All data were collected prospectively. A positive surgical margin was defined by the presence of cancer cells with ink on them. Continence, defined as no pads, was assessed with validated Expanded Prostate Cancer Instrument Composite questionnaires. Evaluation of 200 consecutive cases (group 1) revealed that 75% of surgical margins occurred at the apex. Concomitantly we assessed visual cues for urethral length, which demonstrated that even patients with very short urethral stumps requiring perineal pressure during anastomosis had equivalent times to continence as those with long, accessible stumps. We altered the point of transection, distally, to include 3 to 6 mm more of striated external urethral sphincter. The SM+ rate and time to continence for the ensuing 200 cases (group 2) were tracked. The overall SM+ and apical SM+ rates were significantly reduced (SM+ 17.6% versus 7.5%, P = 0.003; and apical SM+ 13% versus 5.5%, P = 0.01). Kaplan-Meier times to continence curves were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: A more aggressive apical resection resulted in marked reduction in overall SM+ rates without measurable change in time to continence or overall continence.